Recent troubles between the two countries show signs of abating

In a sign of easing tensions between the two nations, North Korea flew the flag and sang the national anthem of South Korea for the first time ever, reportsThe Wall Street Journal.

The act of good faith took place at a weightlifting tournament at the Ryugyong Jong Ju Yong indoor stadium in Pyongyang. South Korean athletes took the gold and silver in the 187 pound division, prompting the shout out to the winners' nation. But it was North Korea's decision to allow the formal recognition at the Asian Cup Weightlifting Championships before the competition even took place that encouraged South Korea to participate.

"South Korea has never sent competitors to international sports tournaments in the North before because of Pyongyang's ban on the South's flag and anthem," the WSJ observes, also noting that the two nations remain in a technical state of war since the the Korean War ended in 1953 with an armistice rather than peace treaty.
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My sister married a Korean. In Korea there is no North Korea and South Korea. There is only talk of Korean reunification. Sister and brother in law are both here in the states while sister works on her masters degree for a Department of Defense teaching job she'd like to have upon returning to Korea.*I used to email with concerns every time the north would act out, she laughs.Nancy says, you know what would happen if soldiers crossed from north to south, provided they COULD get across the DMZ which we hope they can ?We'd see every soldier from the north trade weapons for chopsticks and food post haste, pdq but pronto. *The DMZ serves North Korea to keep Koreans from moving south, not south to north. Nobody wants to go to North Korea.I see this as a hopeful sign.Nancy also says when people of the north find out the lies they've been led to believe they'll be ready to finish the north Korean leaders off for good.

North Korea reminds me of Albania. Hoxha kept his country in complete isolation by similar tactics and claiming they were the most advanced nation in the world. (Factoid: G.W. Bush is hero in modern Albania and was so honored on a postage stamp) When the people did eventually learn just how backward they were, they killed off a lot of the old regime. The same thing will happen in North Korea. South Korea should approach reunification with caution. Bringing North Korea up to modern standards will be incredibly costly. Ask the Germans about unification.

@daclark1911 When the West Germans got a fix on the costs associated with bringing East Germany up to speed on just about everything, they damned near had a heart attack! There are so many industrial sites in the former East Germany that would be Superfund sites in the USA it's absurd. But you know the socialist industrial policy post WWII........"Black smoke is progress!"

Considering that six months ago North Korea's state run news service was announcing a "state of war" with South Korea, I'd say it's good news. This obviously doesn't jibe with the usual rhetoric, and it's better than declaring war. I think it's fair for @TheJimmy to give Rodman some credit here, it's too weird for anyone else to be behind it.

North Korea has always struck me as a military looking for a country to be an army for. South Korea, on the other hand, is a major industrial power. I would like to see reunification of the two but I don't think it will happen in the immediate future.